Chapter 719 Recharge
With the war in the Northwest becoming increasingly intense, raising funds for military supplies was of paramount importance. However, to Lin Yuesha's great surprise, the scholars were not very enthusiastic about participating.
"Don't you trust us?"
Lin Yuesha first looked for the reasons within herself, realizing that because they were merchants, the scholars did not trust them and were worried that the donated money would go to waste.
Actually, she didn't have too many expectations.
"no."
Jiang Baozhu asked Bai Gongzi to inquire at Qingzhu Academy and said sarcastically, "Scholars are oblivious to what's happening outside their windows. They think that scholars are noble and that only poor people who can't afford to eat join the army."
It's only right that the Great Qi provides military supplies and supports its soldiers to protect the country. If they're in a good mood, they might give a little something; if they're in a bad mood, they won't give a single copper coin. Anyway, the Northwest is a thousand miles away from the capital, so it won't be long before they attack the capital.
Lin Yuesha was shocked. The idea that "all other professions are inferior, only studying is superior" seemed to be the common perception of the people of Daqi. No wonder Xu Da said that scholars ruin the country. It was indeed true!
"It is better to rely on ordinary people than on scholars."
Jiang Baozhu shrugged. After two days of hard work, she had only managed to raise a hundred or so taels of silver. She figured she might as well have earned the money herself and started fundraising herself.
"I have an idea."
The Qingzhu Academy had at least several thousand students, and in the end, only a hundred or so taels of silver were raised. Most people, upon hearing about the fundraising, simply threw down a few copper coins, which was less than the tips given to servants who ran errands.
“Sister Yue Sha, my father left me a sum of money, which I can use.”
Despite her best efforts to persuade him, Jiang Baozhu's attempts to please him were met with indifference. Unwilling to ask for favors, she decided to pay for it herself.
“Sister Baozhu, that’s your livelihood.”
Lin Yuesha objected, arguing that the war in the Northwest should be fought with everyone's united will and collective wisdom, not with one person taking advantage of the situation.
Many hands make light work, and scholars, being wealthier than ordinary people, can still be squeezed out of some resources.
No, it can't.
Jiang Baozhu runs a shop at the foot of the mountain and understands best the pedantry of scholars. In the eyes of scholars, only they are the most noble, and everyone else is a lowly class.
If you talk to them about the war in the Northwest and military supplies, no one will listen.
Scholars desire a good reputation, but they will not allow it to come at the expense of their own interests.
"How about we change the format?"
Modern canteens have meal card top-up programs, which we can emulate. We can first raise funds by topping up meal cards, and then use the money to generate more money, allowing the business to grow continuously.
“Scholars spend a hundred or so coins on a single meal. Why not offer a model where they recharge 100 taels and receive 10 taels free, or recharge 200 taels and receive 30 taels free?”
Anyway, the shop doesn't lose money, and 20% of the money the scholars recharged is used as military supplies and donated to the soldiers in the Northwest.
In this way, the scholars can top up their cards in advance, so their money is still there, they suffer no loss, and they even gain a good reputation.
"I'm not concerned about the reputation of scholars, but rather about giving them sufficient benefits..."
Lin Yuesha originally wanted Xiao Qi to go and persuade him, but she felt that her stepson was an honest man and not cut out for it. In comparison, Young Master Bai was much more quick-witted.
The crux of the problem was that the imperial court concealed the war, which restricted their fundraising efforts, forcing them to conduct them privately.
"Then let's spread the word about the young ladies from wealthy families raising money for jewelry. If any sycophants try to curry favor, they'll know what to do."
The more Jiang Baozhu interacted with scholars, the less she liked them. They always reminded her of He Xing and things from her past life.
Although she couldn't change the course of many things in her life, she could control her own destiny. Gu Yi was neither He Xing nor Zhang Jing, and she wouldn't misplace her trust.
As arranged by Lin Yuesha, the shop opened a card-selling and top-up service at Qingzhu Academy. Because of the free silver, the scholars felt it was worthwhile and were very enthusiastic. In the end, they even boasted that spending money at the shop was to raise funds for military supplies for the soldiers in the Northwest.
Lin Yuesha ignored the hypocritical faces of these scholars and silently made arrangements to leave the capital.
With limited manpower, it was impossible to take all the maids from the house with them. In the end, everyone discussed and decided that Qingxing and Baicha would go with Lin Yuesha, and Qi'er and Longjing would go with Jiang Baozhu, so that both of them would have someone to protect them.
Because of the torment she suffered at the hands of Da Heizi, Granny Fang was quite frightened and stayed in the mansion to recuperate.
In addition, arrangements had to be made for Xiao He's whereabouts, as Lin Yuesha had promised her.
“Miss, I have nowhere to go for the time being, and I would like to work at the shop.”
Xiaohe received the indenture that Lin Yuesha had stolen, but felt it was useless. Even if she regained her freedom, she didn't want to get married; instead, she wanted to support herself through her own abilities.
If a man is unreliable, she may not have a good life after marriage. If he takes advantage of her because she has no family to rely on, she will really be left with no one to turn to.
"After Baozhu left, the shop was handed over to Liu Quan to manage, and there were no men around."
Lin Yuesha considered that since the business was mainly located at Qingzhu Academy, it would be inconvenient for Xiaohe to go to the shop, especially in the summer when the chefs would be shirtless, and Xiaohe, an unmarried girl, might feel uncomfortable.
"It's fine for me to go to the estate."
Xiaohe was used to farm work and she wasn't afraid of hardship.
"Do you want to go to the Northwest?"
Xiaohe is skilled in embroidery, bold yet meticulous; with proper training, she could be of great talent.
The female doctor Yan has already set off for the Northwest to find a group of women to learn suturing techniques, and Lin Yuesha feels that Xiao He is a suitable candidate.
"This servant is willing."
It would be best if we went with Lin Yuesha.
"Then I'll send a message to Bai Youran. She only has Ruyi with her and is missing a maid."
Lin Yuesha considered it and decided to arrange for Xiaohe to go there to make up the number of people.
On the eve of departure, both parents were at home, but the stepbrother was missing.
“Yue Sha, your father didn’t send a letter to your elder brother. If he finds out that you went to the Northwest, he might not even be able to continue his studies.”
Xiao Chenggui's eyes flickered, and he casually made up a lie.
Moreover, Qingzhu Academy is strictly managed, and it's not yet time to go down the mountain and go home.
"Brother, focus on your studies. I'll be back soon."
The shopping trip took up a lot of time, and Lin Yuesha estimated that even if the group traveled back and forth at the fastest speed, they would not make it in time for the New Year.
She was very reluctant to see her parents and older brother for several months.
If there were any delays on the way back to the manor, her little brother might already be born.
"Father, Mother, have you named my little brother yet?"
Lin Yuesha participated with great interest. Although it is said that a lowly life is easier to raise, it is still shameful to be like Gou Dan or Gou Sheng.
Xu Da is the best example. The deputy commander of the Five Cities Garrison was called a dog, and his prestige was instantly lost.
"You must choose an elegant and catchy nickname."
Lin Yuesha looked at her parents, and finally her gaze settled on her father, Xiao Chenggui. Her father was the most reliable.
"Your mother and father have already decided on a nickname."
Chen suppressed her excitement as she showed off to her daughter, saying, "It's not loud, but it's catchy."
"What nickname?"
Lin Yuesha insisted that she had the right to know, because that was her own younger brother.
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